Correlation between the olfactory system and the oculomotor system

Abstract

To obtain objective evidence of olfactory vertigo in humans, two series of experiments were carried out using rabbits. We found that in healthy animals there was little evidence of nystagmic responses when they were stimulated by inhalation of vapor of liquid, garlic odor. However, rabbits which had been given repeated electric stimulation on the unilateral amygdaloid nucleus and which had developed nystagmic responses tended to show an appearance and/or increase of nystagmic responses after being stimulated with the garlic odor mentioned above.In the former, there was little evidence of nystagmic responses after an intravenous administration of adrenaline. In the latter rabbits, however, there was a significant development and/or increase of nystagmic responses after the same procedure.With reference to known fiber connections in the central nervous system and the mode of action of adrenaline, we postulate that in humans, the amygdaloid complex, particularly the adrenaline sensitive components play a major role, in the production of olfactory vertigo.